DEAR ABBY: Out of nowhere, my husband announced he thinks we should always unfriend one another on Facebook. I got upset and told him it could make me feel insecure about us, because I feel there isn’t any reason for it. I find it very suspicious, and if there’s a reason, I feel we should always split up. He unfriended me anyway. He called me closed-minded and said I value Facebook over our marriage. Is he right? — SOCIAL MEDIA-MINDED IN GEORGIA
DEAR S.M.M.: No, he’s not right. Your husband’s announcement was a red flag. When a spouse does what your husband has done, it’s actually because he doesn’t want his partner to see what he’s posting and doesn’t need to be monitored.
You want to discuss this further so he can explain his reasons. If the discussion is just not productive, offer your husband the choice of counseling with a licensed marriage and family therapist. If he refuses, seek the advice of an attorney so your interests can be protected.
DEAR ABBY: I even have failed in a 30-year relationship and as a father of 5. After feeling terrible for quite a lot of years, I used to be finally diagnosed with a blood disorder. I used to be prescribed a chemotherapy pill and, two years later, was diagnosed with extreme neuropathy. Depression set in. I let myself go and barely got off the bed. My wife complained because she wanted me to be more involved with the kids, but I failed.
We are actually going through a divorce. I even have been cut off from my 13-year-old son, and I don’t know the right way to reconnect. He’s the youngest of my kids, and he’s very special to me because he’s adopted as was I. I would like help. I’m not good at asserting myself. Please help me because my heart is broken. — NEEDS HELP IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR NEEDS HELP: The individuals who can provide the enable you are on the lookout for can be your divorce lawyer and a licensed mental health skilled. The previous will see to it that your legal rights as a parent are enforced; the latter can enable you change into more assertive in addition to, hopefully, reconnect along with your youngest child. Your heart could also be broken, but it’s going to heal more quickly should you start now.
DEAR ABBY: Our church has a potluck every Saturday. How will we take care of the freeloaders — an adult family of three — who never bring anything? They jump as much as be first in line, don’t help clean up and never fail to take leftovers home with them. They act like they deserve free meals. We’re a small church and will use an additional dish, assist in cleansing up, etc. Thanks in your advice. — OUTRAGED IN OREGON
DEAR OUTRAGED: “Someone” — preferably, but not necessarily, the religious leader of your church — should take the family aside privately and explain the “rules” to them. It could not occur until the remaining of you complain about what’s occurring. If that family cannot afford to bring a dish, the least they may do is assist with cleansing up.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also often known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
DEAR ABBY: Out of nowhere, my husband announced he thinks we should always unfriend one another on Facebook. I got upset and told him it could make me feel insecure about us, because I feel there isn’t any reason for it. I find it very suspicious, and if there’s a reason, I feel we should always split up. He unfriended me anyway. He called me closed-minded and said I value Facebook over our marriage. Is he right? — SOCIAL MEDIA-MINDED IN GEORGIA
DEAR S.M.M.: No, he’s not right. Your husband’s announcement was a red flag. When a spouse does what your husband has done, it’s actually because he doesn’t want his partner to see what he’s posting and doesn’t need to be monitored.
You want to discuss this further so he can explain his reasons. If the discussion is just not productive, offer your husband the choice of counseling with a licensed marriage and family therapist. If he refuses, seek the advice of an attorney so your interests can be protected.
DEAR ABBY: I even have failed in a 30-year relationship and as a father of 5. After feeling terrible for quite a lot of years, I used to be finally diagnosed with a blood disorder. I used to be prescribed a chemotherapy pill and, two years later, was diagnosed with extreme neuropathy. Depression set in. I let myself go and barely got off the bed. My wife complained because she wanted me to be more involved with the kids, but I failed.
We are actually going through a divorce. I even have been cut off from my 13-year-old son, and I don’t know the right way to reconnect. He’s the youngest of my kids, and he’s very special to me because he’s adopted as was I. I would like help. I’m not good at asserting myself. Please help me because my heart is broken. — NEEDS HELP IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR NEEDS HELP: The individuals who can provide the enable you are on the lookout for can be your divorce lawyer and a licensed mental health skilled. The previous will see to it that your legal rights as a parent are enforced; the latter can enable you change into more assertive in addition to, hopefully, reconnect along with your youngest child. Your heart could also be broken, but it’s going to heal more quickly should you start now.
DEAR ABBY: Our church has a potluck every Saturday. How will we take care of the freeloaders — an adult family of three — who never bring anything? They jump as much as be first in line, don’t help clean up and never fail to take leftovers home with them. They act like they deserve free meals. We’re a small church and will use an additional dish, assist in cleansing up, etc. Thanks in your advice. — OUTRAGED IN OREGON
DEAR OUTRAGED: “Someone” — preferably, but not necessarily, the religious leader of your church — should take the family aside privately and explain the “rules” to them. It could not occur until the remaining of you complain about what’s occurring. If that family cannot afford to bring a dish, the least they may do is assist with cleansing up.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also often known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
